Characterizing surface flatness by light
Measuring surface flatness is extremely important for the functional use of many glass products or precision mechanics involved in holding optics and glass components. This involves characterizing the surface flatness for the most diverse areas of use. Whatever the application, Polytec offers optical measurement and testing solutions for reliable inspection of flatness on glass. Large-area measuring white-light interferometers of the TopMap optical surface profiler series measure the surface flatness of entire areas very quickly, without contact on a large field-of-view (FOV), gathering precise 3D insights with a precision down to the nanometer and even subnamometer range. TopMap optical 3D surface metrology represent high precision metrology tools used for evaluating form parameters like flatness, parallelism and more wheter in the metrology laboratory or close to production for industrial quality control. TopMap non-contact surface profilers continuously record height data at selected points in real time, resulting in precise flatness representations on large sample areas, that also work as immediate feedback within the production process. Such surface flatness measurement keeps product quality high and saves cost for later defects, malfunction and repair.
We measure flatness on your demo samples and offer free feasibility studies
Surface flatness – tactile or optical measurement
Focusing on surface flatness as critical form parameter, this precision-manufactured mirror holder is a complex structure and workpiece with functional surfaces. Narrow portions can twist and distort during and after manufacturing. The effect of these distortions is to move the mounting surfaces and misalign the mirror. If the surface flatness of the mounting surface falls below a critical value, the mirror will be out of alignment and will not work properly.
Rental, onsite support or pricing information for flatness measurement
Reliable pass-fail analysis based on surface flatness
The mounting surface is very intricate and is made up of relatively narrow, partially recessed ligaments. It was impossible to determine the surface flatness with a conventional tactile profiler or sensor system because only a small portion of this surface was accessible to the scanner tip. Unlike tactile profilers, this situation was easily solved with a TopMap topography measurement system. The non-contact optical measuring procedure allows the areal characterization of almost any surface, independently of its specific geometry constraints, resulting in reliable pass-fail analysis.
Related products
TopMap Pro.Surf
Ideal for quick and precise 3D surface characterization. The areal measurement of the TopMap Pro.Surf ensure to not miss any details when inspecting your workpiece surface. Short measuring times and a large field-of-view characterize the TopMap Pro.Surf.
TopMap Metro.Lab
Being a complete measuring station, the TopMap Metro.Lab is ideally suited to large-area topographies on almost all surfaces. Since it offers great value for money, it is also attractive for smaller companies with fewer tasks.
